Having wrapped up its “Boogie on the Beach,” fund gala, the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA) is moving into fall programming.
GARNA has received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through Colorado Mountain College to pay for Riverwatch volunteer training this October, in addition to supporting our water quality monitoring programs in Leadville and Salida this summer.
Email GARNA Executive Director Dominique Naccarato at Dominique@garna.org to learn more about Riverwatch and how you can help the valley’s waterways.
Stream Explorers
The Salida Stream Explorers program is open for registration. This FREE program for 5th-8th graders runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (field trip day, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) on Fridays from Sept. 19 through Oct 7.
Students will be taught stream ecology and learn to tie flies and fish with instructors from GARNA and Trout Unlimited. Space is limited, so register today!
Water Quality & River Watch
GARNA conducted two water quality monitoring programs this summer with support from an EPA grant through Colorado Mountain College (CMC) on the S. Arkansas River in Salida, and at some mine stormwater holding ponds in Leadville.
There was not enough data collected to make any official conclusions, but Naccarato says there were some interesting findings:
- Higher than-expected nitrates on the S. Arkansas (at a high point above the confluence with Fooses Creek).
- Coliform bacteria was also found at this site, which is alarming, and possibly the result of dispersed campsites upstream.
“We learned just how acidic acid mine drainage can be (pH of 2.5!) and just how much iron such drainage can hold. Many thanks to Dr. Devin Castendyk. PhD of CMC for his expertise leading these programs,” writes Naccarato.
September 24 – National Public Lands Day
Join the Chaffee Recreation Adopters in a cleanup event in partnership with the BLM on Saturday, September 24 for National Public Lands Day. Participants will clean up public recreation areas along County Road 250, the access road to the Shavano Trailhead.
For more details and sign up to volunteer here.
Volunteers Needed
GARNA has announced that the EPA grant will support sending volunteer monitors to Riverwatch training this fall. Those who are interested in helping to monitor critical tributaries to the Arkansas River should contact Naccarato at dominique@garna.org, or call 719-539-5106 for more info.
Fall Youth Programming needs volunteers. If you love working with kids, GARNA is looking for a few good volunteers. Contact Bianka at youth@garna.org if you are interested!
Featured image: Mountain snowmelt, courtesy GARNA
Recent Comments